Earn College Credit with Work Experience
Monday, February 02, 2026 12:00 AM
Blog Highlights
- Credit for prior learning is a way to convert work experience into college credit.
- Credit for prior learning saves time and cost of tuition.
- Those who utilize credit for prior learning are nearly twice as likely to graduate as those who don’t.
For some adults, the decision to return to school is less about motivation and more about time, cost and retaking familiar courses. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to earn college credit for prior experience, reducing those barriers.t.
What is credit for prior learning?
What experience could qualify for college credit?
Macomb’s CPL program covers a wide range of industries. If you have a background in any of the following areas, you may be able to gain credit for certain introductory courses:
How Does the Credit for Prior Learning Process Work?
Because every career path is unique, the CPL process is a personalized collaboration between you and the college. Your experience is carefully evaluated to ensure it meets academic standards.
The most common pathways for evaluation include:
Depending on the pathway, you pay an assessment fee that is significantly lower than tuition, and upon successful evaluation, college credit is awarded. This allows you to jump directly into advanced coursework and moves you closer to graduation.
Why Should You Consider Credit for Prior Learning?
CPL eliminates the feeling of having to start over when you return to school by validating the work you’ve already done. Kattoula explains that "it gives students the confidence to return to college and finish their degree and complete their goals." If you are interested in having your past experiences earn you college credit, submit a CPL inquiry form.
If you are interested in having your past experiences earn you college credit, submit a CPL inquiry form.
What is credit for prior learning?
Credit for prior learning is a program designed to bridge the gap between your professional history and your academic future. It allows you to take the skills you’ve gained in the workplace or from military experience and convert them into actual college credits.
“CPL helps adult learners save time and tuition dollars by focusing on what they still need to learn, not repeating what they already know,” says Valantina Kattoula, Manager of Credit for Prior Learning at Macomb.
According to a 2020 study by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), adult students who receive CPL are nearly twice as likely to graduate as those who don't.
CPL acknowledges that learning doesn't just happen in a classroom; it happens in the experiences you have in life.
“CPL helps adult learners save time and tuition dollars by focusing on what they still need to learn, not repeating what they already know,” says Valantina Kattoula, Manager of Credit for Prior Learning at Macomb.
According to a 2020 study by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), adult students who receive CPL are nearly twice as likely to graduate as those who don't.
CPL acknowledges that learning doesn't just happen in a classroom; it happens in the experiences you have in life.
What experience could qualify for college credit?
Macomb’s CPL program covers a wide range of industries. If you have a background in any of the following areas, you may be able to gain credit for certain introductory courses:
- Skilled Trades and Manufacturing
- Health Care
- Information Technology (IT)
- Education and Public Service
- Business
- Media Arts and Design
- Military Experience
How Does the Credit for Prior Learning Process Work?
Because every career path is unique, the CPL process is a personalized collaboration between you and the college. Your experience is carefully evaluated to ensure it meets academic standards.
The most common pathways for evaluation include:
- Certificates and Licenses: a state, national or recognized third-party certification.
- Portfolios: a compilation of creative or specialized work to demonstrate skill-level and understanding.
- Credit by Exam: an exam to demonstrate proficiency in a specific subject.
Depending on the pathway, you pay an assessment fee that is significantly lower than tuition, and upon successful evaluation, college credit is awarded. This allows you to jump directly into advanced coursework and moves you closer to graduation.
Why Should You Consider Credit for Prior Learning?
CPL eliminates the feeling of having to start over when you return to school by validating the work you’ve already done. Kattoula explains that "it gives students the confidence to return to college and finish their degree and complete their goals." If you are interested in having your past experiences earn you college credit, submit a CPL inquiry form.
If you are interested in having your past experiences earn you college credit, submit a CPL inquiry form.